As the summer season draws to a close and the school year begins, Love Blue Inc. is more active than ever, building momentum for our mission of protecting the world's oceans through education, advocacy, and direct action. Our community chapters wrapped up summer with impressive cleanup efforts, while our college and university chapters have hit the ground running with remarkable events and initiatives. Here's a look at what we've accomplished and where we’re headed.
Wrapping Up Summer with Impact: Wildwoods Chapters Lead the Way
Our Wildwood and Wildwood Crest chapters capped off the summer with a combined 987 pounds of trash removed from the beaches. The Wildwood Chapter pulled in an impressive 495 pounds, contributing significantly to the preservation of this popular New Jersey destination.
Meanwhile, the Wildwood Crest Chapter saw a major decline in the amount of trash collected, gathering 492 pounds—down from 1,095 pounds last summer. This drop highlights the effectiveness of our sustained community outreach, beach awareness signs, cleanup stations, and partnerships within the community. The reduced litter is a positive sign that our model is working, as locals and visitors alike are becoming more conscious of their impact on the environment.
This success reflects our mission in action: fostering community engagement, increasing environmental awareness, and empowering individuals to make meaningful change.
College and University Chapters: A Powerful Start to the School Year
Our college and university chapters are proving to be a driving force behind Love Blue’s mission. This fall, we’ve seen incredible participation, new partnerships, and impactful events across multiple campuses.
- Coastal Carolina University Chapter kicked off the year with a wave of enthusiasm, signing up 200 members during organization kickoff day. The chapter partnered with the CCU Women’s Lacrosse team and other Greek life clubs for a beach cleanup on August 22. Additional partnerships, including one with the CCU Surf Club, have led to consistent cleanups, with over 100 pounds of trash already removed from Myrtle Beach this semester. The chapter's efforts have gained media attention, with local news interviewing two executive team members about Love Blue’s mission and its ocean conservation initiatives.
- The Florida Gulf Coast University Chapter made an immediate impact with its first beach cleanup, gathering 50 volunteers who removed 70 pounds of trash. This event set the tone for what promises to be an environmentally active semester.
- Stockton University Chapter started the academic year with a beach cleanup attended by 35 volunteers, collecting 20 pounds of waste. Their efforts highlight the consistent engagement of our chapters in New Jersey.
- Monmouth University Chapter is preparing for its first beach cleanup of the year on September 21 at Deal Beach, New Jersey. Their dedication to preserving local shorelines is a vital part of our broader mission.
- The Rowan University Chapter is gearing up for its first events, and we’re excited to see how they will further the mission in southern New Jersey.
- Our Chicago Chapter is making strides in developing community connections, with their first cleanup scheduled in partnership with **Motorola Solutions Company** this Friday. This chapter represents a new frontier for Love Blue, tapping into urban environmentalism and expanding our reach beyond coastal communities.
- The Maui Chapter held a two-day cleanup on September 7 and 8, where 68 volunteers removed 250 pounds of debris from Kanaha Beach Park in Kahului. Their dedication is crucial to protecting Hawaii’s delicate ecosystems.
Developing Chapters and Expanding Reach
We’re also thrilled to announce the expansion of Love Blue into new areas:
- Flagler College will soon have its own chapter, spearheaded by a member of the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol (WCBP) who was inspired after working with our CEO, AJ Caruso, & learning about Love Blue over the summer.
- Cape May, NJ has officially appointed an officer to lead its chapter, with future cleanups and outreach events already in the works.
Executive Team Updates: Laying the Groundwork for Growth
Our executive team has been hard at work ensuring that Love Blue Inc. continues to grow and impact communities across the nation. Key developments include:
- The creation of a Monthly Donor Program for individuals and businesses, providing new ways for supporters to get involved and help sustain our mission.
- Website updates are underway to better engage our community and showcase the impact of our chapters nationwide.
- Weekly meetings with chapter leaders are keeping everyone connected, fostering collaboration, and laying the groundwork for a successful school year.
- The introduction of the new Love Blue Starter Kits will supply each chapter with the tools they need to succeed.
- We’ve begun shipping the trash collected in Wildwood Crest this summer to TerraCycle for transformation into an art sculpture—a powerful reminder of the waste we remove from our beaches and the creative ways we can repurpose it.
- Our executive team is already planning cleanups, networking events, and fundraising efforts for 2025, ensuring that Love Blue remains at the forefront of ocean conservation.
Looking Ahead
With the summer behind us and the school year well underway, Love Blue Inc. is positioned for continued growth and success. Our mission to protect the world’s oceans is being embraced by new communities, students, and businesses alike. We are excited to see the impact of our university chapters, the continued effectiveness of our community outreach, and the many more opportunities on the horizon.
As we look ahead to the coming months, we’re eager to strengthen our partnerships, expand our donor base, and plan for even more impactful events in 2025. Together, we are making waves and changing the future of ocean conservation.
Let’s keep the momentum going!
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